I keep thinking how we go about most of our lives, always anticipating what will follow. When you look forward to something or dread it for that matter -a party, an event, a yoga class, a trip, an encounter, a conversation- you invariably start projecting and wondering what it is going to be like, you …
Category: Focus of the week
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: SALUTING THE SUN (SEP 22 / 13)
Most of us serve our ideals by fits and starts. The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication. ~ Cecil B. De Mille On July 12, 2006, the wind of war blew once more, disrupting our “make believe” calm …
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: PEACEFUL WARRIOR (Sep 16/13)
Warrior poses (Virabhadrasana I, II and III) are standard poses which are practiced in most yoga classes, but few people know the tale of their genesis. Hindu mythology tells the tale of Virabhadra which means “blessed warrior” and this is how it goes: The powerful priest Darsha threw a huge party and invited a whole …
FOCUS OF THE WEEK (Sep 2/13) HAMS AND QUADS
The chant of the week VITARKA BADHANE PRATIPAKSHA BHAVANAM (see previous post or click here) means that in any given situation which causes your mind to ripple with dwelling, hashing and rehashing thoughts, you are encouraged to create an opposing thought which will neutralize the polluting effect of the previous one. In other words you …
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: IT ALL STARTS WITH ONE (Aug 19.13)
There are many reasons why we practice yoga: health, harmony, focus, strength, flexibility….but ultimately you practice because it helps you live your daily life. To be rooted in self-awareness is a wonderful gift and guide on how you spend the hours you are not on the mat and that includes becoming aware of how the …
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: THE SPINE (July 29/13)
Yogis believe that the spine is like an antenna, through which we receive, assimilate and redistribute life’s energy. They also believe that the key to a long life is a healthy and flexible spine, hence the importance of posture, stretching and creating space. Surely you must have noticed when you first came to yoga two …
FOCUS OF THE WEEK II: Vinyasa of life (July 22/ 13)
This quote punctuates the end of the week beautifully and summarizes the true meaning of what was our focus this past week (THE VINYASA OF LIFE). Just like asana is best expressed in the way it feels within, rather than the way you look in it, life too should be lived or created with concern …
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: The Vinyasa of life (July 22/13)
One thing you should know about most Yoga teachers is we get easily excited when we come up with a new rad and smart sequence while designing a class. Placing the body consciously through smart alignment is the goal for most of us out there and is actually one of the various interpretations of what …
Focus of the week OM (July 15/13)
I grasped the power of the om mantra, one day as I babysat my nieces in NY, ages 5 and 3 at the time. It was one of those “running around and being very turbulent” days. I remember sitting down in the middle of the room, without saying anything or looking at them, or acknowledging …
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: Pranayama (July 8/13)
Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodhah: When the fluctuations of the mind cease to exist, we attain a state of yoga We have already established previously that we practice asana to provide the body with enough strength so that “it” can sit effortlessly in meditation for a substantial amount of time. We don’t practice asana just to enhance …